PNCR denies being invited to APNU meeting, says election of new office bearers null and void

The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) the major party in the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has denied being invited to a meeting held  by the partnership on Thursday, June 6, 2024. A statement, issued this evening, displaying an APNU masthead and Aubrey Norton’s photo, reads:

“The PNCR, which is the Chairman of the APNU, and who at present is Mr. Aubrey C. Norton did not send out any notice for APNU meeting nor elections. What purports to be an APNU elections is unauthorised and null and void. As is well known, the APNU has no General Secretary since none was elected after the resignation of Mr Joe Harmon. The PNCR wishes to note that any claim that the PNCR was invited to a meeting is totally untrue, as we received no such invitation. Moreover, there is no one with the locus standi to send such an invitation. The PNCR remains committed to the necessity and principles of coalition politics in Guyana.”

Earlier today, Village Voice News carried a release by the APNU stating that it held its first Executive Council last Thursday after more than two years of not having one.  Leader of the PNCR, Aubrey Norton, was the chairman of this group. He acceded to the position after pressure was brought to bear on former President and APNU Chairman David Granger to demit office after Norton won the leadership of the PNCR in December 2021. Former Opposition Leader, Joe Harmon, who was APNU’s General Secretary was also called on to resign, which he did.

Shortly after Norton’s election the argument was made that for him to be an effective leader he must enter Parliament, be elected Leader of the Opposition and Chairman of the APNU. His desires were met.

APNU said at its Thursday meeting a new Chairman and General Secretary were elected.  Guyana Action Party’s leader, Mr. Vincent Henry was elected Chairman, and Mrs. Tabitha Sarabo-Halley was elected General Secretary, the group said.

Reportedly in  attendance were Mr. Keith Scott, Leader of the National Front Alliance (NFA); Mr. Courdel Joseph, Member of the NFA; Mr. Vincent Henry MP and Leader of the Guyana Action Party (GAP); Mr. Errol Ross, Chair of the Guyana Action Party (GAP); Mr. Jaipaul Sharma, Leader of the Equal Rights and Justice Party (ERJP); and Mrs. Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, MP and Leader of the Guyana Nation Builders (GNB).

The group said it met to discuss the partnership’s substantive agenda focused on the way forward for the  and it was determined that a new Chairperson was necessary and the vacant position of General Secretary should be filled.